Did David dance naked (2 Samuel 6:14)?

Response

In one of the most enthusiastic displays of worship recorded in the Bible, King David danced “before the Lord with all his might” «And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. », (2 Samuel 6:14). The occasion was the return of the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. It was a day of rejoicing as David “and all Israel were bringing up the ark of the Lord with shouts and the sound of trumpets” (verse 15). David had set aside his royal robes and was “wearing a linen ephod” (verse 14)—a clear indication that he was not naked.

The ephod David wore was a garment usually reserved for priests and those ministering before the Lord. As David led the procession of the ark into the city, he humbly laid aside his royal garments and worshiped the Lord, in ecstatic joy, as the representative of God’s “kingdom of priests” «and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. », (Exodus 19:6).

The ephod David wore was made of fine linen and consisted of two pieces, covering both back and front (Exodus 28:6-8, 31-32). The two pieces were fastened together over the shoulders and held at the waist by a belt of some kind. The ephod worn by the high priests would have been different, as it was embroidered with gold and bright colors and somehow bore the Urim and Thummim by which God directed the people.

David’s wife Michal was horrified at her husband’s public dance, but not because he was naked. Scripture says she “watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing before the Lord, she despised h”I’m in her heart” «And as the ark of the LORD entered the city of David, Michal, Saul’s daughter, looked through a window and saw King David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart.», (2 Samuel 6:16). She was embarrassed by his lack of decorum and felt it was beneath his dignity as king. In a sarcastic rebuke of her husband, Michal accused him of “parading around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as any vulgar fellow would!” (verse 20). Other translations interpret Michal’s complaint as David being “exposed” (CSB), “undressed” (ISV), and “shamelessly uncovered” (NKJV). Some of this wording might imply that David danced naked, but the context is clear that he was wearing the ephod instead of royal attire.

It’s worth noting that Michal’s disdain for David may not have been related to his public performance; instead, it could have been due to him taking her from her husband and reclaiming her as his wife—most likely without her consent (2 Samuel 3:14-16). Regardless of the reason for her disgust, the Bible mentions that Michal never bore any children «Therefore Michal, the daughter of Saul, had no child until the day of her death.», (2 Samuel 6:23), which could indicate a divine judgment or simply that David never sought to have marital relations with her again.

David was unfazed by Michal’s criticism. In fact, he stood his ground, stating that it was the Lord he was dancing before, and he was willing to humble himself in the Lord’s presence: “I will celebrate before the Lord. I will become even more undignified than this, and I will be humiliated in my own eyes” (2 Samuel 6:21-22).

David’s profound passion and enthusiastic worship are what make his psalms so relatable. He conveyed his admiration for God in various ways: through his music, his writings, and his public demonstrations.